Putin meets Xi in Beijing

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping used a Beijing summit on Wednesday to showcase China-Russia ties, with energy cooperation, trade and regional crises on the agenda. The meeting at the Great Hall of the People came days after U.S. President Donald Trump visited China and as disruptions linked to fighting involving Iran added pressure to global energy markets. Putin called Russia a “reliable energy supplier,” while Xi said energy and resource connectivity should serve as a “ballast stone” in bilateral ties. Public statements from both sides pointed to broad alignment, but they did not produce a visible breakthrough on the long-discussed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. ### Why was energy at the center of the meeting? Russia entered the May 20 talks seeking further energy agreements with China, according to Reuters and Kremlin officials cited by other outlets. Moscow has pushed for progress on Power of Siberia 2, a proposed pipeline that would send gas from Russia’s Yamal fields to China through Mongolia and help redirect volumes once sold to Europe. (english.alarabiya.net) The planned system would stretch about 2,600 kilometers and carry 50 billion cubic meters of gas a year, according to CNBC and Reuters reporting. Putin said after the talks that Russia and China were “actively cooperating” in energy and said Moscow was ready to ensure uninterrupted supplies of oil, gas, liquefied natural gas and coal to the Chinese market. (english.alarabiya.net) ### Did the summit produce a gas deal? Public remarks from Beijing did not show a final agreement on Power of Siberia 2. Reuters reported that Xi referred to energy cooperation in general terms but did not mention the pipeline by name in his public comments. Pricing, financing terms and a delivery timeline remain unresolved, CNBC reported, citing the status of negotiations after a legally binding memorandum signed in September 2025. (english.alarabiya.net) Reuters also reported that the Kremlin said both sides had reached a “general understanding on the parameters” of the project, without giving details or a timetable. ### What did Xi and Putin say in public? Xi told Putin that China and Russia should deepen political trust and strategic cooperation, according to Reuters and Xinhua as cited in reporting. He also said the two countries should promote a “more just and reasonable” global governance system. (english.alarabiya.net) Putin said Russia-China ties had reached an “unprecedented level” and described the talks as “friendly, warm, and constructive,” according to Reuters, CNBC and other reporting. He also invited Xi to visit Russia next year. ### How did the wider geopolitical backdrop shape the visit? The Beijing summit took place as Russia’s war in Ukraine continued and as fighting involving Iran and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz raised fresh concerns over oil and gas flows. (english.alarabiya.net) Putin explicitly linked Russia’s role as an energy supplier to instability affecting Middle East supplies, according to Reuters and RFE/RL. RFE/RL reported that analysts saw the Iran-related disruption as strengthening Moscow’s case for overland energy supplies to China, while also noting Beijing’s caution about overdependence on Russia. Henrik Wachtmeister of the Swedish Institute of International Affairs told RFE/RL that Russia needed the trade revenue more than China needed Russian energy specifically. (english.alarabiya.net) ### What comes after the leaders’ meeting? Xi and Putin were expected to continue the visit with additional meetings and a smaller-format session, including tea, according to Reuters. RFE/RL also reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was scheduled to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (rferl.org) The next concrete test will be whether Moscow and Beijing publish terms, a timetable or signed project documents for Power of Siberia 2 after the May 20 talks. For now, the public outcome was a joint display of political alignment and continued negotiations on energy. (english.alarabiya.net)